The bishop’s residence, a convent and a refugee camp in Alindao, in the center of the Central African Republic, were attacked on Nov.15 by an armed Muslim group, the Union for Peace in Central Africa (UPC). Around 60 people, including two priests, were killed during this attack.

Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui and member of the Platform of Religious Faiths, spoke to Lucie SarrLa Croix about this attack and the ongoing conflict in Central Africa.

The interview follows:

La Croix: What actually happened in Alindao?

Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga: The Diocese of Alindao looks after a camp of refugees that shelters displaced civilians. Members of the anti-balaka, an armed group consisting mainly of Christians, infiltrated the camp.

Members of Séléka, the Muslim armed group in opposition to the anti-balaka, have come to the diocese several times to demand that the anti-balaka infiltrators be expelled from the camp.

But this is not the role of the priests who run the refugee camp.

Recently, there have been a series of events that have increased the tension. Some people who went to work in the fields were killed and suspicion fell on Séléka.

On Nov.14, two Muslims were killed, one at Alindao and the other at Bambari.

This was the event that triggered the subsequent violence.

Séléka members of the UPC believed that these murders had been committed by members of the anti-balaka who had infiltrated the refugee camp.

They set fire to the camp and fired live ammunition. Unfortunately, children and old people were killed, as the able-bodied were able to flee.

The bishop and priests remained in place. However, one of the priests, who had gone outside to look for his suitcase, was stopped and murdered.

Three successive armed groups then attacked, destroying the bishop’s residence and the convent.

The vicar general, the caretaker and a scout were killed by the third group. The bishop managed to seek shelter at the UN Central African Mission (MINUSCA).

Now, days after the attack, what is the situation in Alindao?

In the eight days following the attacks, the population has fled and has sought shelter in a small village eight kilometers away.

However, the village is too small to support 26,000 people.

This is a humanitarian crisis. People have nothing to eat. They are even scratching in the dirt to find bits of food. The school is closed and many children are sick.

Is the conflict in Central Africa a religious one?

I reiterate and stand by this: the conflict in Central Africa is not a religious one. I will give you an example to support my statement.

In Alindao, the leader of an armed group demanded that the imam oppose the re-deployment of the regular army.

The imam refused, stating that he was apolitical. After his refusal, the imam was ousted from office and replaced by a team that is in allegiance with this armed group.

This armed group continues to commit provocative actions that make people believe that all Muslims are implicated.

This is not the case. Muslims are also victims of this conflict. We must be vigilant, as we are being led into a trap that will result in our destroying one another in the name of religion.

Why is the Catholic Church in Central Africa often so critical of the UN Central African Mission (MINUSCA)?

There have been situations where the Mission’s peacekeepers have behaved in ways that leave much to be desired.

For example, the contingent from Mauritania did absolutely nothing during the violent attacks in Alindao: they did not fire a single shot.

And yet the Mission’s mandate states that it must protect civilian populations.

The Church has been criticized for being complacent with regard to the anti-balaka. Is this true?

The Catholic Church welcomes both Christian and Muslim refugees. This is the case in Bagassou, Berbérati, and so on.

I have myself welcomed Peul Muslims who have been in difficulty. We welcome everyone.

Priests cannot take weapons from armed men who infiltrate the camps. Bishops always ask armed people to leave the refugee camps but, with 6,000 refugees to take care of, it’s a difficult thing to verify.

The Church is not protecting the anti-balaka. The Church asks those who are capable of disarming these men to do so. The Church itself has neither the means nor the power to do so.

Moreover, the Church is a mother who welcomes all people.

Are you optimistic about the future of your country?

Christians live in hope. Soon, we are coming to the time of Advent, in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

I tell myself that, no matter how long the night, daylight will come again. Christ vanquished death. Life will triumph.

For us Central Africans, there is no alternative but to speak to one another and to find solutions without exclusions. No one else will write our history.

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